With the help of the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, Harvesting Hope in your Community is going full-time.

The nonprofit has been part of Sebring for two years and aims to help seniors in need. 

“We’ve identified a lot of food security issues. So, what we mainly saw was issues with seniors at first, and then we saw that it goes across all age spans,” said Tonya Dean, executive director of Harvesting Hope in your Community.

According to Census Reporter, the poverty rate in Sebring is 16.7%, which is about 25% higher than the poverty rate in Ohio. Dean said she's noticed an increased need in the community.

Harvesting Hope is housed at the Almost Home Event Center. Dean holds events twice a week for seniors at the center. 

"They currently come here twice a week for some educational activities. It’s a congregate meal site for them where they can just enjoy fellowship and have a good time," said Dean.

The center has also been used for weddings, reunions and private parties. Dean still plans on holding other events at the center, but all of the money will go back to the community.

“If they’re going to host a big event here, that check will be made out, or that credit card will be used for harvesting hope in the community,” said Dean.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is helping the nonprofit fulfill its mission by providing food. This partnership is allowing Harvesting Hope to grow.

“We’re always looking for any way we can be out there, especially where there’s areas where there are not a lot of grocery stores, as well as a lot of pantries. So that way, we have the chance to be able to pass food out anywhere we can to be helpful,” said Renee Fuller, Associate Director at the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.

Kim Brock, director of operations at the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, said despite rising prices, the food bank is continuing to help surrounding communities.

“When the community supports us, then we are able to give that right back out into the community. So, we are so fortunate here in the Mahoning Valley because we do have so much support,” said Brock.

Anyone wanting to donate to the nonprofit can reach out to Harvesting Hope in your Community, or the Second Harvest Food Bank. Fuller is asking anyone wanting to donate to Harvesting Hope through the food bank to specify on their check.